Managing Planning Permission Disputes in Birmingham’s Growth Areas
Turning Planning Disputes Into Opportunities for Growth Planning permission disputes in Birmingham are becoming more common, especially in areas where development is moving quickly. When you are dealing with a major scheme, a planning objection or refusal is not just a paperwork issue. It can affect funding, construction timetables and your standing with investors and […]
North-West Claims Firm Enters Administration Following Funding Withdrawal
A north-west based claimant firm has entered administration after its primary litigation funder declined to continue providing capital for ongoing cases. AWH Solicitors, which operated from offices in Manchester and Blackburn, filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators earlier this week. The application was submitted under the name M8 Trading Ltd, previously known as […]
Criminal Defence Solicitor Jailed for 13 Years Following Client Cell Assaults
A former criminal defence solicitor has been sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment after being convicted of sexually assaulting clients while they were held in police and court cells. Alan Harris, 72, of Plymouth, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court by Her Honour Judge Morris following conviction on five counts of sexual assault and five counts […]
Firm Granted Permission to Continue Judicial Review Against Ombudsman Decision
A London law firm has been granted permission to proceed with a judicial review of a decision made by the Legal Ombudsman, despite a series of procedural shortcomings during the early stages of the claim. The High Court ruled that preventing the firm from continuing its challenge would cause greater prejudice than allowing the case […]
Law Centres Intervene in Mazur Appeal Over Access to Justice Risks
Law centres have intervened in the Mazur appeal amid concerns that uncertainty created by last year’s High Court ruling could restrict access to justice for individuals facing eviction, discrimination, or loss of income. The Law Centres Network (LCN) confirmed that it has entered the appeal to ensure the Court of Appeal considers the wider implications […]
Solicitor Challenges SDT Suspension as Disproportionate
A solicitor has appealed a 12-month suspension imposed by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT), arguing that the sanction was excessive and wrongly applied. The appeal was heard by the High Court, with wider implications for how professional misconduct sanctions are assessed. The case follows the recent High Court ruling in Hurst v Solicitors Regulation Authority […]
High Court Confirms Legal Ombudsman’s £50,000 Compensation Decision
The High Court has dismissed a solicitor’s attempt to overturn a Legal Ombudsman ruling that awarded £50,000 in compensation to former clients following a complaint about legal fees and cost transparency. The complaint arose from a neighbour dispute in which the clients alleged that their legal costs significantly exceeded initial estimates without adequate warning or […]
MPs Press Government on Compensation After Legal Aid Agency Cyber Attack
Members of Parliament have called on the government to clarify compensation arrangements for solicitors affected by the recent cyber attack on the Legal Aid Agency (LAA). The Commons Justice Committee has formally requested answers after evidence submitted to its access to justice inquiry highlighted widespread uncertainty surrounding the emergency funding measures introduced following the incident. […]